Obituary for Barbara Taylor
BARBARA LEA TAYLOR was born October 17, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Frances Clarke Baer and Clyde Bilyeu. She grew up with her Mother and adopted Father David Baer. The family later moved to Independence, Kansas.
Barbara was an excellent student throughout primary and secondary school. She excelled in music playing the flute and participating in the marching band, where she served as majorette. She also sang in the school choir. Barbara’s outgoing personality made her popular in school.
Barbara left Kansas to pursue a career in modeling and entertainment in New York City. She met her future husband at his modeling agency, where she received her stage name "Eve Holiday" which forever gave her the affectionate nickname “Eve.” Before having children, Barbara was a successful fashion model. She also continued her singing in New York City’s rhythm and blues venues. Barbara also appeared in several episodes of the Mickey Mouse Club television show.
After her modeling and singing career, Barbara turned to her life’s mission – raising her family and developing her three sons into three men. Nothing was more important than her family. Barbara helped her husband complete his college studies. Barbara also turned her love and support to raise her sons and provide them with the nurturing and tools to be successful. She sacrificed all for them and helped each of them in all their endeavors. And she always bragged about them, often to the point of them claiming to be embarrassed – but really, they loved hearing their mother's praise.
Barbara later restarted her working career and became an accountant and bookkeeper for a national chemical company based in New York City. Later she worked for a transportation company on Long Island before retiring. In her leisure, Barbara spent time painting and other crafts, following the traverses of family and friends, and of course playing with and spoiling her dogs. While she did not continue professionally, Barbara was always singing. She particularly loved Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin. Barbara lived a full life and will be remembered for her larger than life generosity, fun and loving spirit, and devotion to family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her three sons Peter, Stephen, and Matthew; daughter-in-law Christina Taylor; Step-daughter Valerie Prinez Wilder, grandson Nicholas Taylor; brother-in-law Arthur Taylor and sister-in-law Constance Taylor, niece Lee Ann Bilyeu; niece Jo-Ann Henry Espeut; niece Gayle Williams; grandnephews; her best friend Wendy Leverette; and many friends and associates from all walks of life. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother Frances Clark Baer and father David Baer; her husband Peter Earl Taylor; her brother Clarke Bilyeu; her sisters-in-law Jean Henry and Reva Sanders; brothers-in-law Keith Taylor and Ralph Taylor; her beloved dog Heidi; and
other four-legged friends far and near.
Barbara was an excellent student throughout primary and secondary school. She excelled in music playing the flute and participating in the marching band, where she served as majorette. She also sang in the school choir. Barbara’s outgoing personality made her popular in school.
Barbara left Kansas to pursue a career in modeling and entertainment in New York City. She met her future husband at his modeling agency, where she received her stage name "Eve Holiday" which forever gave her the affectionate nickname “Eve.” Before having children, Barbara was a successful fashion model. She also continued her singing in New York City’s rhythm and blues venues. Barbara also appeared in several episodes of the Mickey Mouse Club television show.
After her modeling and singing career, Barbara turned to her life’s mission – raising her family and developing her three sons into three men. Nothing was more important than her family. Barbara helped her husband complete his college studies. Barbara also turned her love and support to raise her sons and provide them with the nurturing and tools to be successful. She sacrificed all for them and helped each of them in all their endeavors. And she always bragged about them, often to the point of them claiming to be embarrassed – but really, they loved hearing their mother's praise.
Barbara later restarted her working career and became an accountant and bookkeeper for a national chemical company based in New York City. Later she worked for a transportation company on Long Island before retiring. In her leisure, Barbara spent time painting and other crafts, following the traverses of family and friends, and of course playing with and spoiling her dogs. While she did not continue professionally, Barbara was always singing. She particularly loved Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin. Barbara lived a full life and will be remembered for her larger than life generosity, fun and loving spirit, and devotion to family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her three sons Peter, Stephen, and Matthew; daughter-in-law Christina Taylor; Step-daughter Valerie Prinez Wilder, grandson Nicholas Taylor; brother-in-law Arthur Taylor and sister-in-law Constance Taylor, niece Lee Ann Bilyeu; niece Jo-Ann Henry Espeut; niece Gayle Williams; grandnephews; her best friend Wendy Leverette; and many friends and associates from all walks of life. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother Frances Clark Baer and father David Baer; her husband Peter Earl Taylor; her brother Clarke Bilyeu; her sisters-in-law Jean Henry and Reva Sanders; brothers-in-law Keith Taylor and Ralph Taylor; her beloved dog Heidi; and
other four-legged friends far and near.